Teresa Giudice will likely return on 'Real Housewives of New Jersey'

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J., May 1 (UPI) -- Teresa Giudice will likely return on The Real Housewives of New Jersey.

The 42-year-old reality star's lawyer revealed as much in an interview with People published Thursday. Attorney James J. Leonard, Jr., spoke to the magazine in an attempt to clear up rumors about his client.

"Anyone who has watched [RHONJ] since the very first episode understands that Teresa Giudice is the central figure around which the show revolves," he declared. "That's not to take anything away from any of the other women, but Teresa has been the focal point ... and I don't expect that to change moving forward, assuming both sides can agree on a contract."

Giudice appeared on all six seasons of the Bravo series before entering Danbury Federal Correctional Institution for fraud in January. Leonard said the star has not had a single incident or infraction in prison, and confirmed she will be released early in late December.

The lawyer also dismissed reports of hatred between Giudice and sister-in-law Melissa Gorga, and denied the star and husband Joe Giudice plan to divorce. Joe Giudice was sentenced to 41 months, and will serve his term after Giudice gets out on account of their four daughters.

"[The children] are holding up surprisingly well, but they miss their mother terribly," Lenoard said of Gia, Gabriela, Milania and Audriana Giudice. "This is a very difficult situation, but this is a very strong family. I know the girls can't wait to have their mother home."

Gorga previously told Real Housewives executive producer Andy Cohen her sister-in-law is "doing really good" in prison, and reiterated her sentiments to Us Weekly on Wednesday, saying, "She's doing as well as can be expected for the situation."